Monday, January 23, 2006

Georgians have been protesting outside the Russian military headquarters in Tbilisi; there are reports that members of Parliament, the Tbilisi city council and the nationalistic Patriot youth movement are among them. A few protesters pitched a tent and vowed to continue the protest indefinitely.

In classic protest theater fashion, posters have been made that depict a grotesque Vladimir Putin, labeled "Gasputin". This all comes at Putin is G-8 leader.

President Saakashvili said on Georgian television that "A major act of sabotage against our country's energy system has been committed by the Russian Federation." You might not think statements like this were intended to see the light of day (much is said by politicians in Georgian that is never translated) except that they have been consistent.